The Australian Superbike Championship serves to benefit from a variety of upgrades to the Hidden Valley complex. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

The Northern Territory’s minister for sport and recreation has announced a $9.42 million-dollar upgrade package for the Hidden Valley Raceway on Darwin’s outskirts.

With the release of the 2013-2014 budget, minister Matt Conlan specifies that five million dollars will be spent to re-surface the 2.9 kilometre track and upgrade concrete barriers to meet standards required at a national level.

“Territorians are mad about motor sport and these upgrades will ensure Hidden Valley remains in peak condition so Darwin can continue to host national events like the V8 Supercars and the Australian Superbike Championships (ASBK) for many years to come,” Mr Conlan said.

“Events like these have multiple flow-on effects to tourism, local businesses and the economy – not to mention they are a great day out for the entire family.

“Territorians love to enjoy sporting events and our great outdoors and this investment will enhance our unique lifestyle and ensure it remains the best in Australia.”

This announcement is of particular significance to the ASBK, which has visited the circuit for the past three years, and named Hidden Valley the ‘Event of the Year’ on all three occasions.

While it stands to benefit the ASBK in future years, the upgrades are not scheduled to begin until mid-2014, meaning the season finale from 12-15 September will feature the original surface, which has not been upgraded since its construction in 1997.

General usage and the Northern Territory’s extreme weather conditions have resulted in a marked deterioration of the surface over the past several years.

“The normal life span of a track is 10 years, so 16 years on these upgrades are long overdue,” Mr Conlan added.

The remaining $4.12 million dollars will be spent on sewerage, toilet block and drainage upgrades, along with the re-design of turn one of the circuit. Works for the second stage will not begin until mid-2015.